Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has issued a strong rebuttal to claims made by Bode George, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
George had suggested that Nigeria would have faced serious problems and possibly collapsed if Atiku had won the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, responded to George’s statements in a post shared on social media. He criticized George’s remarks, calling them “imprudent talk,” and emphasized that an Atiku presidency would have brought positive changes to Nigeria.
Ibe argued that Atiku’s leadership would have ensured progress for the country, driven by the appointment of qualified and capable individuals based on merit, rather than favoritism.
His words: “Contrary to Chief Bode George’s imprudent talk, an @atiku presidency would have heralded an era of prosperity, driven by a cabinet brimming with seasoned and adept individuals, chosen solely on merit regardless of their background or beliefs.
“Such leadership would have safeguarded Nigeria’s interests, steering clear of the bigotry and nepotism and brigandage that characterizes this administration. Instead of the current state of disarray, driven by haphazard policies, Nigeria would have thrived under Atiku’s guidance.
“In contrast, we see Bode George, who once threatened exile, should Tinubu ascend to power, now oddly silent about the present administration. Is Bode’s reticence because Atiku is not from his region? It is prudent to consider Bode’s opinions with caution.
“Furthermore, Bode’s conduct is a disservice to the military, an institution esteemed for its unity. Here is a Commodore who, paradoxically, embraces tribalism and undermines the very principles of the military. It is a source of shame for the armed forces to have such a figure in their ranks.”
George’s original comments were made during an appearance on Arise TV’s “The Morning Show,” where he expressed his belief that Nigeria would not have been stable had Atiku succeeded President Muhammadu Buhari, another northerner. He stated that the country’s norm is to shift power between the north and south after a leader completes their term.
“If Atiku had won — I would have stayed in my house because I knew that for real in the future he would collapse. This country would never accept,” George said, adding, “If he had won that election, you think this country would have been stable? Because somebody from the north (Buhari) had just finished eight years and our own norm is that after the eight years, the presidential candidate must come to the south.”
